Marin's Giants fans descend on city for parade

WEARING EVERYTHING and anything orange and black — and not wanting to miss a bit of Bay Area baseball history — thousands of Marin residents descended on San Francisco on Wednesday to be part of the parade celebrating the San Francisco Giants' World Series victory.

Some who made their way south missed the last party in 2010, but they wouldn't hear of it this time.

Matthew and Lisa Shaffer of Greenbrae couldn't make it in 2010 for good reason: They had an appointment with their pediatrician for their newborn baby.

But on Wednesday — Matthew Shaffer's birthday — the couple were not going to miss the parade and hopped on a Golden Gate Ferry out of Larkspur to the happening. Getting into the terminal was a challenge, as Highway 101 and nearby roads were clogged with traffic, but nothing could stop the Giants faithful.

"It will be an experience," said Matthew Shaffer, standing with his wife as the undulating bay bounced the big boat around as it neared San Francisco's Ferry Terminal. "I wouldn't miss this; we started making plans during Game 4. We all believed in the team. Sometimes all the stars align."

Said Lisa Shaffer: "It's a wonderful thing to have happen. It was a special year."

Nearby — in the sea of orange and black hats, shirts and jackets — lifelong Giants fan Brucie Melvin of San Rafael and her neighbor, Chris Hempel, were also eager to check out the parade.

"We didn't come in 2010, we had more sense then," Melvin said with a laugh. "But we wanted to be a part of this one."

Dominic and Leigh Magnani of San Rafael brought their 1-year-old son, Ryan, in a stroller.

"It's his first parade and hopefully not his last," Dominic Magnani said.

"We are excited about today," said Leigh Magnani, who packed earmuffs for her son to protect him from the anticipated noise.

And was there noise.

As hundreds got off the ferry and made their way onto Market Street to jockey for spots along the parade route, spontaneous chants of "Let's go Giants!" broke out. Others yelled "Giants!" at full force as they held banners over their heads. The Golden Gate Ferry out of Larkspur saw 6,000 customers between 6 and 11 a.m. Wednesday. Larkspur ferries typically carry 5,000 for the entire day.

"It doesn't get any better than this," said J.D. Diego of San Rafael as he stood on Market and Drumm streets, sporting orange and black facepaint. "I think we are starting the dynasty now."

Orange, black and white confetti rained down on the parade route as cars, motorized cable cars and floats carried players, Giants staff and others, some of whom threw candy into the crowd, adding a little Halloween fun into the mix.

"There is Pence! There is Posey!" said Scott Patterson, of Greenbrae, as the players waved to the screaming crowd.

Patterson noted the players were in cars instead of motorized cable cars as they had been in 2010, making it a little hard for some to see as people stood 10 deep, some on their tip-toes to catch a glimpse of their heroes.

"They need to be elevated somehow," he said of the players. "I'm tall, so I can see, but those behind me couldn't see."

Susan Rios of Tiburon took a day off from work to watch the parade.

"This is totally worth it," said Rios, who sported orange and black nails for the occasion. "I missed 2010, so I wanted to be here today. I didn't want to miss it again. Everyone is in a great mood. There is so much bad stuff going on out there, you take these nice moments. This is totally awesome to see everyone smiling. It's special."

On the way back to Larkspur, Al and Rosanne Clifford of Greenbrae watched over their grandson Conner, 4, as they spoke to other fans about the parade.